“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”
~Samuel Ullman
I’d like to thank my parents for the name. It’s nice. Like my nose, I never appreciated its true character until I was old enough to understand that looking or being like anyone else is the worst possible purgatory.
Last week, I penned the most significant thing I’ve thus far written. Not the best, but certainly the most monumental.
It was a letter to lift my family from one hilltop to the next.
Three years ago, Daisy and I left our jobs. We were working too long, not moving forward, and needed life to graduate.
We opened a preschool. Daisy left her job at the school district, I left mine at the flower shop. Daisy was leaving security, benefits, and a full classroom. I, my family and the daily soul food of a million petals (The shop is gorgeous. Flowers EVERYWHERE).
Our tiny school is wonderful, but it’s impossible to move forward if we cannot ever take a step. Workdays are ten hours, plus set up and tear down; five days a week, with no vacation outside a long weekend, for the last three years.
During this time, the children (students) are constantly learning. No television, ever. The children get music, math, reading, and writing, and all of it’s fun. Computer time is given to every student two years and over. We do an outstanding job, but it is positively exhausting.
A lot of comments have questioned how I balance family life with writing. Presently, not well. Not as I should.
That’s what this is about.
I write when my children sleep, or on the weekend. This means sleeping at midnight, and wearing the Macbook as permanent weekend accessory.
Neither is acceptable.
Daisy and I are closing our small family preschool at the end of this year; hitching the wagon with the young ones, and heading into frontier.
My heart tumbled as I wrote the farewell. The week tangled my stomach, as it seemed the sand took longer to slip through the glass.
Friday evening, we hit send.
Response was fairly immediate, and overwhelmingly positive. Our parents, though sad, were thrilled for us.
I started this blog as Writer Dad instead of Sean, because I didn’t know where writing would take me. If it removed me from the families whose lives I am a part of five days a week, I needed to know they’d hear it from me. Not stumble across it.
I haven’t told them about Writer Dad yet. Shock precedes awe. They’ll know soon, and when they do, I’m sure they’ll want to talk to you guys.
Please be warm, they’re really nice people.
Tomorrow, I’d like to talk a bit about the letter. It was an important piece of writing, crafted with intent. I think writers (that should be all of you) will be interested.
Writer Dad
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About Sean Platt
One of my mentors took a year to travel the US. He packed his family and roamed state to state in an RV. It’s been years later since his adventure, but you can imagine it’s the most precious year in his storybook. Oh the tales he tells.
Best wishes
J.D. Meiers last blog post..6 Steps for Putting Your Strengths to Work
One of my mentors took a year to travel the US. He packed his family and roamed state to state in an RV. It’s been years later since his adventure, but you can imagine it’s the most precious year in his storybook. Oh the tales he tells.
Best wishes
J.D. Meiers last blog post..6 Steps for Putting Your Strengths to Work
Writer Dad! I’ve been disconnected for a month and you’ve grown by years! I am so thrilled and excited for you and your family. I cannot wait until OUR next big adventure. You will most definitely find the success that is yours when you get to where you’re being called.
PLEASE keep in touch,
T
Writer Dad! I’ve been disconnected for a month and you’ve grown by years! I am so thrilled and excited for you and your family. I cannot wait until OUR next big adventure. You will most definitely find the success that is yours when you get to where you’re being called.
PLEASE keep in touch,
T
Wendi Kelly: Feel free to call me Writer Dad. I’ve grown quite fond. Your mom is awesome. I come from a long line of small business owners. I think my bloodline is incapable of holding a 9 to 5. Hopefully, I’ll be the one to take that independence to the next level.
Guitar Dad: Absolutely. I subscribed to your feed already.
Malathionman: I hadn’t heard that about Gabriel Byrne. I think that’s awesome. The Usual Suspects is one of my all time faves. Kevin Spacey has never been better (though I quite like him in Seven).
Benjamin Solah: I’d love to visit either place. Australia is one of the places I MUST visit.
Matthew: I can’t wait to get it, or something, out. Hopefully I’ll have something where you can actually turn the pages by the end of the year.
Dr. Cason: Thanks, Doc. I’m on the path, I just have to keep walking.
Evelyn: I probably won’t get to do much breathing until January, but I’ll spend the whole month inhaling and exhaling. February, back to work.
J.D.: That’s so ballsy. Ballsy people always have the best stories.
T Edwards: I absolutely will. It is nice to see you back.
Wendi Kelly: Feel free to call me Writer Dad. I’ve grown quite fond. Your mom is awesome. I come from a long line of small business owners. I think my bloodline is incapable of holding a 9 to 5. Hopefully, I’ll be the one to take that independence to the next level.
Guitar Dad: Absolutely. I subscribed to your feed already.
Malathionman: I hadn’t heard that about Gabriel Byrne. I think that’s awesome. The Usual Suspects is one of my all time faves. Kevin Spacey has never been better (though I quite like him in Seven).
Benjamin Solah: I’d love to visit either place. Australia is one of the places I MUST visit.
Matthew: I can’t wait to get it, or something, out. Hopefully I’ll have something where you can actually turn the pages by the end of the year.
Dr. Cason: Thanks, Doc. I’m on the path, I just have to keep walking.
Evelyn: I probably won’t get to do much breathing until January, but I’ll spend the whole month inhaling and exhaling. February, back to work.
J.D.: That’s so ballsy. Ballsy people always have the best stories.
T Edwards: I absolutely will. It is nice to see you back.
Nice to see you and know your name! You and Daisy have certainly taken a leap of faith, and I’m sure you know what you’re doing, so it should turn out fine. I’ve been sick and got behind in my reading, so when I saw the word “Farewell” I thought, “Whoops! He’s closing down the blog because of a book contract.” I’m glad you’re not leaving us. Best of luck on your new adventure!
Dots last blog post..Check It Out Department: Palin and Yellow Stickies
Nice to see you and know your name! You and Daisy have certainly taken a leap of faith, and I’m sure you know what you’re doing, so it should turn out fine. I’ve been sick and got behind in my reading, so when I saw the word “Farewell” I thought, “Whoops! He’s closing down the blog because of a book contract.” I’m glad you’re not leaving us. Best of luck on your new adventure!
Dots last blog post..Check It Out Department: Palin and Yellow Stickies
Dot: I wouldn’t shut the blog down, even if I had a book deal. I like the forum. It’s wonderful and immediate. It’s good daily exercise. I’m sorry you were sick, and I hope you’re feeling better. I’m glad you stopped by. I think my reader lost you in the migration.
Dot: I wouldn’t shut the blog down, even if I had a book deal. I like the forum. It’s wonderful and immediate. It’s good daily exercise. I’m sorry you were sick, and I hope you’re feeling better. I’m glad you stopped by. I think my reader lost you in the migration.
Wow, this is monumental! Congratulations on taking the plunge. Exciting times for you and your family, I wish you the best!
Wow, this is monumental! Congratulations on taking the plunge. Exciting times for you and your family, I wish you the best!
A habit is something you can do without thinking – which is why most of us have so many of them.
~Frank A. Clark
This is a fantastic quote. It’s going directly to my swipe file.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Ways to Settle a Dispute
A habit is something you can do without thinking – which is why most of us have so many of them.
~Frank A. Clark
This is a fantastic quote. It’s going directly to my swipe file.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Ways to Settle a Dispute
Wow — I get behind in my reader a few days, and I miss your big news!
I know how heart-wrenching the decision and the announcement must have been, b/c we can feel the connection to each of your pupils and their families in your beautiful stories here.
So, I will join them in wishing you & Daisy all the best in wherever your new venture takes you. Hope I don’t miss that announcement, too! And it’s nice to know your name now!
Wow — I get behind in my reader a few days, and I miss your big news!
I know how heart-wrenching the decision and the announcement must have been, b/c we can feel the connection to each of your pupils and their families in your beautiful stories here.
So, I will join them in wishing you & Daisy all the best in wherever your new venture takes you. Hope I don’t miss that announcement, too! And it’s nice to know your name now!
Been there, done that! I closed my home daycare of 5 years this past June. My parents did know I blogged, but I always tried to keep the business out of my blogging. I have sense moved on and have a part time job that I love. I’m still trying to juggle the writing, working and family, but I’m getting there … most days. Good luck!
Debbie Yosts last blog post..It’s Pink!
Been there, done that! I closed my home daycare of 5 years this past June. My parents did know I blogged, but I always tried to keep the business out of my blogging. I have sense moved on and have a part time job that I love. I’m still trying to juggle the writing, working and family, but I’m getting there … most days. Good luck!
Debbie Yosts last blog post..It’s Pink!
Busymama Kellie: Thanks. I really appreciate all the well wishing. It makes me feel like I can fly.
Bamboo Forest: I’d never read the quote until I found it for the post. It’s so simple, yet perfect.
Linda: Thank you, Linda. Honestly, it’s nice to be known as Sean as well.
Debbie: After five years, that had to be hard. So much bonding. Good job taking your steps. I’m glad it’s working out (I bet you don’t miss the diapers at all).
Busymama Kellie: Thanks. I really appreciate all the well wishing. It makes me feel like I can fly.
Bamboo Forest: I’d never read the quote until I found it for the post. It’s so simple, yet perfect.
Linda: Thank you, Linda. Honestly, it’s nice to be known as Sean as well.
Debbie: After five years, that had to be hard. So much bonding. Good job taking your steps. I’m glad it’s working out (I bet you don’t miss the diapers at all).
Writer Dad,
Wow. My heart goes out to you, Daisy, and the families of your students. But more power to you.
I so often long for an adventure for our family. (Not that life in my family isn’t an adventure on a daily basis.) But, the thought of going on a year-long sabbatical from every day life..traveling to new states, new countries…even traveling to the far corners of this great big state of Montana in which we live…it all seems so appealing and enriching.
I, for one, hope you will be writing from the road, and sharing your family’s adventures with the rest of us.
Keep us posted on how the transition is going. Best of luck…
Writer Dad,
Wow. My heart goes out to you, Daisy, and the families of your students. But more power to you.
I so often long for an adventure for our family. (Not that life in my family isn’t an adventure on a daily basis.) But, the thought of going on a year-long sabbatical from every day life..traveling to new states, new countries…even traveling to the far corners of this great big state of Montana in which we live…it all seems so appealing and enriching.
I, for one, hope you will be writing from the road, and sharing your family’s adventures with the rest of us.
Keep us posted on how the transition is going. Best of luck…
Kimmelin: The road is only metaphorical (though I really would love to hitch a wagon to Montana – PRETTY). I promise, I won’t stop dancing on the keys for a long time to come.
Free konwlgdee like this doesn’t just help, it promote democracy. Thank you.
mvepXc owtyomhmmaaa
Kimmelin: The road is only metaphorical (though I really would love to hitch a wagon to Montana – PRETTY). I promise, I won’t stop dancing on the keys for a long time to come.
Wow and inspiring of you…I so enjoy you writing and I wish you a great and wonderful journey ahead. Thank you
Patricias last blog post..Kindle From Amazon.com
Wow and inspiring of you…I so enjoy you writing and I wish you a great and wonderful journey ahead. Thank you
Patricias last blog post..Kindle From Amazon.com
Patricia: Thank you kindly. I appreciate your attention.
Patricia: Thank you kindly. I appreciate your attention.